Visit Vancouver

Rural yet cosmopolitan, modern with natural beauty, isolated but well-connected- Vancouver has it all. The vibrant metropolis in British Colombia offers the best of all worlds – a thriving, growing city cradled between sea and mountains which boasts a thriving economy as well as beautiful beaches. One minute you can feel the buzz of being in a big, laid-back city - the next you can be walking an isolated cliff path, or sunning yourself on the beach. From a fantastic arts scene to world-class skiing, Vancouver will never disappoint.
Situated in Western Canada between the Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is the country’s third-largest city. The relatively young city soared to the spotlight in the mid-eighties and received a further boost in 2010, when it hosted the Winter Olympics. It has since become considered one of the best places to live in the world, an accolade gained for its outstanding natural beauty, relaxed feel and fantastic work-life balance.

Things to do in Vancouver

Direct flights to Vancouver will bring you to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Canada’s second busiest airport, located about 10 miles from the city.

2When to Visit Vancouver

In general, Vancouver experiences a milder climate than the rest of Canada and the best time to go depends on what you plan on doing.
Most tourists head to the city in the summer months, when the weather hovers in the low-to-mid-twenties and the days are long. Whale and bear watchers should plan their trip to Vancouver in September- October, when the salmon-run and whale seasons are at their best and the national parks glow gold and amber in their autumnal glory.
Winter sports lovers tend to head for the city in winter, when they can enjoy skiing and snowboarding. In the city itself, temperatures rarely drop below 3°C and it tends to rain a lot, but it is said when it is raining in Vancouver, it is snowing in the mountains - you can enjoy incredible winter sports by day, and enjoy dining in city style come the evening – the perfect balance.
If you are looking for cheap flights to Vancouver, plan your trip in the springtime, when you will get a bit of everything. The city is pleasantly warm (up to 16°C), the North Shore ski slopes remain open well into April, and the city unfurls from its winter sleep, its trees filled with blossom. What’s more, you will encounter fewer tourists and are likely to get better deals on flights and accommodation.

3Beaches

In Vancouver, it really is possible to hit the slopes in the morning and relax on the beach in the afternoon.
Due to its relatively mild climate, Vancouver boasts plenty of palm-tree lined beaches, each of which has its own distinct personality. Some, such as English Bay Beach and Kitsilano Beach, have a party-like atmosphere as people relax, picnic, swim, play volley-ball, or simply indulge in a bit of people-watching as they soak up the warm rays and the enticing atmosphere.
Situated in Stanley Park, Second Beach is a great place for families, complete with ice cream stands, crazy golf and a playground. During the summer months, films are shown for free on a large outdoor screen. For a more relaxed vibe, head to Third Beach, its vast sandy shores scattered with logs where you can sit, enjoy a relaxing picnic, and experience (probably) one of the most memorable sunsets of your life.

4Parks & Mountains

The North Shore is a collective term for the areas just outside Vancouver, where urban life meets the mountains. Here, you can ski, snowboard, mountain bike, hike, or trek through lush rainforests. Take the Grouse Mountain Skyride to the top of Grouse Mountain, where you will be rewarded with incredible views of Vancouver and the ocean beyond. Cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge, a 137-metre suspension bridge which soars 70 metres over the Capilana River and surrounding West Coast rainforest – a must-do activity that is not for the faint-hearted! There are free mini-tours of the rainforest every hour, which are well worth taking advantage of to help you get the most out of your trip.
The emerald in the Vancouver’s crown is undoubtedly Stanley Park, which welcomes nearly 10 million visitors every year. The 1,000-acre park is one of the largest in North America and is world-renowned for its beauty and variety. Walk or cycle the length of the 6-mile seawall, which is flanked by a temperate rainforest with over150,000 trees and promises breath-taking views of the ocean and mountains. Relax as you enjoy a picnic by one of many exquisite lakes or beaches, or take part in a range of sporting activities on offer. For families, there is a pool, waterpark, miniature railway and Canada’s largest aquarium – plenty to keep the children occupied and the parents happy! For a spot of romance, hire a tandem or, if you are feeling less active, a horse-drawn carriage to take you around the park in style.

5Arts & Culture

Since the turn of the millennium, Vancouver’s arts scene has flourished. The Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) is central to the city’s culture and offers fascinating exhibitions, which include renowned local artists and, more recently, acclaimed international exhibits. A new building has been on the cards for some time, and this proposed expansion has encouraged further investment from local and international artists.
The famous Marine Building is built in art-deco style and pays homage to the city’s nautical roots. The 21-storey building was built in 1929-1930 and was the city’s tallest building for a decade. It may not break any records today, but it is still considered one of Vancouver’s iconic sights, with its opulent architecture. The exterior is laden with carvings of crustaceans and ships, the glass-lined lobby lined with precious artworks and a gleaming wooden floor decorated with signs of the zodiac.
Opened in 1969 and designated as a heritage building, the Bloedel Conservatory is not only an incredible structure, but it is the perfect way to spend a rainy day in Vancouver (and you are pretty much guaranteed one of those, no matter when you go). The vast conservatory is an indoor garden set in Queen Elizabeth Park, at Vancouver’s highest point. Here, you will encounter a warm oasis, complete with hundreds of exotic plants and of 120 free-flying birds; a veritable flying rainbow.

6Eating Out

Like the city itself, Vancouver’s cuisine is hard to define, simply because there is so much on offer. From fine dining to food trucks that deliver on value and taste, and everything in between, Vancouver’s food is an all-encompassing kaleidoscope of flavours and cultures, with just one thing in common: amazing flavours and great quality ingredients. Sustainability and seasonality are at the heart of many dishes and it’s common for restaurants to list the source of their ingredients on the menu. From Peruvian to French, Italian to Asian, on your trip to Vancouver you will find food for all tastes and budgets. Vancouver doesn’t have one signature dish, or cuisine style, but seafood features heavily on most menus – delicious, local and, of course, sustainable.
When considering a trip to Vancouver, you will be spoilt for choice for things to see, eat and do. The list is virtually endless, the friendly, welcoming city, promising to sweep you up into its welcoming arms and show you the very best of everything. One thing is for certain: you will be left with memories that you will treasure forever.
If you want help planning the trip of a lifetime, Travangelo can help you to find cheap flights to Vancouver.

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